April 27, 2023

Blood orange margarita. Made with fresh blood orange juice, tequila, cointreau, lime juice and simple syrup. Shaken with ice and strained over ice and served in a Tajin rimmed glass. It’s sweet, subtly sour and super refreshing.

So I have a new found love for blood oranges. And what better way to round up blood orange season than to make a delicious margarita. And with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner- you know I had to pull out some delicious margarita recipes.

This blood orange margarita is definitely a treat. If you’re cutting back on alcohol, you can make this cocktail into a mocktail by opting out of the tequila and use a zero proof tequila alternative.

What you’ll need

Blood Oranges- Choose blood oranges that are fragrant with firm skin and feel heavy for their size.
Tequila- use your favorite tequila blanco.
Orange Liqueur- I used cointreau.
Lime juice- you know the drill. If it’s not fresh, I don’t want it. Fresh limes makes all the difference when making a cocktail or mocktail.
Simple Syrup- or agave to help sweeten the cocktail. I’m not a huge fan of the store bought simple syrups. You can make a homemade simple syrup using equal parts water and sugar. Bring the water to a simmer and stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from the heat, allow it to cool and store in a mason jar.
To garnish: optional. Rim the glass with lime and Tajin or salt. Add a blood orange slice or lime wheel to garnish the cocktail.

Is it really a margarita without Cointreau? Lol Laughing but very serious. I prefer using Cointreau over triple sec when making margaritas. It has a much richer flavor and pairs well with the Tequila.

What are blood oranges?

Blood oranges are similar to an orange on the outside but have a ruby-hued coloring on the inside. Known as the “raspberry orange”, hence the name and color. They are popular in Italy and Spain. Blood oranges are also rich in antioxidants.

How to choose blood oranges-

Blood orange season runs from December-May. Choose blood oranges that are fragrant with firm skin and feel heavy for their size. I recommend choosing ones with a dark exterior ones.

How to make it?

Using a citrus press, squeeze the blood oranges to juice them. Combine tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for a few seconds.

For Serving–

Rim glass with lime juice and Tajin. Strain the cocktail over crushed ice and garnish with a lime wheel. xoxo, cheers!

Looking for more delicious spring and summer cocktails?

Frozen Lemon Drop
Mango Mojito Mocktail
Strawberry Lemon Drop

Non-Alcoholic Mocktails

Guava Refresher
Blood Orange Mocktail Refresher
Zero Proof Blueberry Mojito Mocktail

If you make this Blood Orange Margarita, be sure to leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.